While the deaths are statistically uncommon, races in the Rock ’n’ Roll series have been marred by such tragedies at least 12 times since 2005, including the two in Raleigh on Sunday. Race officials identified the runners who died as men ages 31 and 35.
Weather should not have posed a concern for the race, medical officials said. Though temperatures reached the upper 70s in the afternoon, they were in the low 70s in the first hours of the event, when the deaths occurred.
I’ve run several halfs, which were part of full marathons, and something has always happened in my events. I would encourage anyone that is thinking of starting to run long distances, or any other heavy exercise that has not been a part of your routine for a period of time, to get a full physical before starting and perhaps even a stress test.
